“By heaven, you’ll hear of this!” cried the leader and backed slowly across the room. “I promise you I’ll see you in the guard-house before nightfall!”
“And,” added another, “we’ll be here again, and we’ll bring Brush, himself, along.”
Hawkins made no answer but followed the three across the room and, when they had gone out, held the door open for Snell, who lost no time in joining them. The sudden turn of affairs had left the fellow speechless, for he had expected to find the powder and then to accuse Hawkins of knowing that it was hidden in the cellar.
“Oh, sir,” exclaimed Don a few moments later, “it’s true, what I told you, every word of it, but, oh——”
“Say no more,” interrupted Hawkins, smiling. “Say no more. I don’t doubt your word; and if I had I should have stopped them, Tories as they are. But had they been the King’s men, I should not have interfered in any circumstances.”
“But you’ve rendered us a great service——” Aunt Martha began.
“It is nothing compared with the service your nephew once rendered me. I owe him my life, and I trust that sometime we may meet again—in better days.” Hawkins turned and walked to the stairs.
Later in the afternoon Don explained to his aunt what he had done with the powder the night before, and a look of relief came into her tired eyes. “I knew there must be some explanation,” she said simply. “And,” she added, smiling slightly, “that accounts for the noise I heard last night and for the shortness of the candle.”
“Do you suppose they’ll return?” asked Don.
“I’m afraid so,” his aunt replied.